Lionel Messi signs new contract at Barcelona with €700m buy-out clause

By 2021, when Messi's current contract is set to expire, the player will have spent a total of 17 years with Barcelona's first team

Samuel Lovett
Saturday 25 November 2017 12:12 GMT
Comments
Lionel Messi has committed himself to Barcelona until 2021
Lionel Messi has committed himself to Barcelona until 2021 (FC Barcelona/Twitter)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Lionel Messi has signed a new contract at Barcelona through to the end of the 2020/21 season, the club has confirmed.

The new deal includes a staggering €700m buy-out clause which looks set to end all speculation over a future move away from the Nou Camp.

By the end of the 2020/21 season, when Messi's new contract is set to expire, the Argentine will have spent a total of 17 years with Barcelona's first team.

Messi now looks set to end his career at Barcelona
Messi now looks set to end his career at Barcelona (Getty)

A renewal was agreed between player and club in July but it is only now that Messi has put pen to paper on the contract.

Throughout his career at Barça the 30-year-old has scored 523 goals in 602 games and is both the Club’s and La Liga’s all-time leading goalscorer.

He was awarded a fourth Golden Shoe on Friday to add to his trophy haul, which includes five Ballon d'Or awards, four Champions League titles and six La Liga Player of the Year accolades.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in